Positive Health Online

Abstract

RUSSELL and COLLEAGUES, 1 Neurology Department, Wessex Neurosciences Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, UK; amy.rossrussell@uhs.nhs.uk ; 2 Department of Microbiology and Infection, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & Rare and Imported Pathogens Department, PHE, Porton, Salisbury, UK; 3 Neurology Department, Wessex Neurosciences Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, UK highlight important aspects of this guidance and provide a more detailed review of the clinical spectrum of Lyme Disease neuroborreliosis.

Background

Lyme disease (borreliosis) is a tick-borne bacterial infection caused by the spirochaete Borrelia burgdoferi, transmitted by hard-backed Ixodes ticks.

Methodology

Actual numbers of cases are increasing and it appears that the distribution across the UK is widening; however, it occurs most frequently in area of woodland, with temperate climate.

Results

It typically presents in mid to late summer. Lyme disease is a multisystem disease. The nervous system is the second most commonly affected system after the skin. Other systemic manifestations, such as carditis, keratitis, uveitis and inflammatory arthritis, rarely occur in European Lyme disease. In 2018, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has updated its guidelines on the diagnosis and management of Lyme disease.

Conclusion

Here, we highlight important aspects of this guidance and provide a more detailed review of the clinical spectrum of neuroborreliosis, illustrated by cases we have seen. Conflict of interest statement. Competing interests: None declared.

References

Amy L Ross Russell  1 , Matthew S Dryden  2 , Ashwin A Pinto  3 , Joanna K Lovett  3. Lyme disease: diagnosis and management. Pract Neurol. ;18(6):455-464. doi: 10.1136/practneurol-2018-001998. Epub Oct 3 2018 .  Dec 2018.